Wondering what other fields might fit your interests?

Job Shadowing

One of the most effective ways to learn about the life of most health care professionals is to spend a day on the job with them. Job shadowing also helps you establish contacts with other professionals, learn about career preparation steps, and evaluate whether you feel that you'd be satisfied in a similar career.

How do I find professionals to shadow?

Start with your own list of contacts - your doctors, dentists, local pharmacists, relatives and neighbors in health care - and ask them if they are willing to permit you to spend a day at work with them. If you don't have many of these contacts, reach out to family members, friends, and neighbors who may have contacts.

Through the Career Center, you can access CareerZone, which contains (among other resources) a database of alumni and friends of St. John Fisher College who have expressed an interest in acting as information sources and mentors to current students and other alumni.

You can join LinkedIn, a social networking site for professionals, and seek connections with individuals on the network who are in careers of interest.

Many professional organizations have websites that allow connect students or other interested individuals with professionals in their field. You can find profession-specific resources on the curriculum guides posted on the Academic Preparation page of this website.

As a last resort, you can "cold call" professional offices and ask for an opportunity, but this is often the most challenging method of developing successful contacts.

What questions should I ask the person I'm shadowing?

You probably already have plenty of questions. Here are a few that you might not have considered:

What kind of personal traits, interests, and styles are good matches for this job?

What does the career ladder in your field look like - that is, what are the opportunities for advancement?

What other jobs could you be doing with your training?

What do you value and enjoy about your job?

How does this job affect your family life?

What else should I consider when job shadowing?

Simple, really - treat the person you are shadowing with the same respect you would expect in the same situation. Make sure you are on time, well rested, neat, polite, and that you express your gratitude for their time and advice.

Clinical Experience

Most successful applicants to health professions schools have demonstrated their commitment to a career in health care by obtaining significant clinical experience. Volunteering in a hospital, nursing home, health clinic, or other health care facility can be great way to get this experience -- which will also help you determine if a career in health care is the right path for you.

What follows is a few links to local health care facilities or non-profit health-related organizations that accept volunteers. Note that this is not a comprehensive list and that many other places and activities can provide excellent clinical experience.